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Why Did the Powhatans Help Settlers After the Jamestown Fire of 1608?

Album Description

Introduction:

The Powhatan Confederacy (c. 1570-1646), was led by Wahunsenacawh (also known as Chief Powhatan) and was a powerful alliance of Algonquian-speaking tribes in what is now Virginia and surrounding areas, existing before and during the early English colonization of Jamestown.

Wahunsenacawh (Chief Powhatan) was leader of the Powhatan Confederacy, which had a hierarchical structure made of "werowances" (tribes) who paid tribute to Powhatan. The Powhatan Confederacy's relationship with English colonists at Jamestown was complex from the start, including trade and food exchanges as well as conflict marked by attacks from each side.

Considered the first English colony in North America, Jamestown was founded May 13th, 1607 close to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. One of the key figures of the settlement was Captain John Smith, an English adventurer employed by the Virginia Company. As directed by the Company, Jamestown was to become self-sufficient and profitable for England, a dual goal that led to challenges for settlers, as decisions were made about whether to plant edible crops, or to spend time looking mainly for gold and other riches in the New World.

Smith worked hard to help the settlers through rounds of disease and hardship in 1607, working to negotiate a fragile trading relationship with the Powhatan Confederacy. By the winter of 1607, food was low and many original settlers had died. On a hunting trip in December, John Smith was captured and brought to face Chief Powhatan. Fearing his death, Smith later recorded being saved by Powhatan's young daughter Pocahontas, who threw herself across him to keep him from harm. Historians now view that action as part of a tribal ritual where Chief Powhatan adopted Smith, later considering Smith's group of settlers at Jamestown to be part of the Powhatan Confederacy. Likely as part of caring for a province in his domain, Powhatan provided food to Jamestown after the devastating fire of January 7th, 1608, when all buildings except three burned to the ground, destroying almost all winter supplies intended to provision colonists.

Had Smith not been adopted into the Powhatan Confederacy in early 1607, Powhatan may have had less incentive to help English settlers with provisions to get Jamestown through the winter.

Ideas for Instruction:

Studying primary sources enhances student understanding by providing varied perspectives. This comprehension fosters critical thinking.

Do a Question Formulation Technique (QFT) for the statue of John Smith image
Conduct a Jigsaw Activity to learn more about the geography and history of Jamestown colony and the surrounding area.
- Use the following pieces:
  - Photo of Jamestown environment: Marsh and woods on the grounds of Historic Jamestowne, a preservation and continuing excavation site at the location of the 1607 James Fort, near the later 17th-century (and present-day) city of Jamestown, Virginia
  - Recreation of Pamunkey tribe photograph: America,Jamestown Settlement,Living-history museums,Powhatan Indian Village,Heather Dor ̌Johnson,Roger Balance
  - Recreation of Pamunkey homes photograph: Yehakhin huts, single-family homes, of the re-created Powhatan Indian Village at the Jamestown Settlement in Jamestown, Virginia
  - Book Image of Pamunkey Boat Building: The New World [...] / Lorant, ed. New York : Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1965, p. 249
  - Painting of Early Settlement: Construction of James Fort, Sidney E. King. U.S. Geological Survey.
  - Painting of Chief Powhatan: Lives of Famous Indian Chiefs by Norman B. Wood., 1906
  - Painting of Captain John Smith:
- Provide students with a copy of the Primary Source Analysis Tool.
- Use prompts from the Teacher's Guide for Analyzing Books & Other Printed Texts and Teacher's Guide Analyzing Newspapers.
- Once back in their base groups, students will share the primary sources they explored and answer the following questions:
  - What are the common themes among these sources?
  - What claims can you make about Jamestown? What evidence do you have for your claims?
Complete a comparative analysis of different maps of the area.
- Use the following maps:
  - Virginia (1624) by John Smith and William Hole
  - Virginia--Maps--Early works to 1800 by John White, Theodor de Bry, and Thomas Harriet
- Use Zoom-In to focus on small sections of each map before looking at them more broadly.
- Provide students with a copy of the Primary Source Analysis Tool.
- Use prompts from the Teacher's Guide Analyzing Maps.
Consider pairing your study of the history of Jamestown and the Native communities that near it with a piece of historical fiction. In this album you will find links to Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone (2007) or for a look at events after the 1608 fire, Our Strange New Land: Elizabeth's Jamestown Colony Diary by Patricia Hermes (2002)
A nonfiction children's book that could also be used is Uncovering the Jamestown Colony (Hidden History) by Caitlin McAneney

3 - 5 6 - 8 Social Studies/History VirginiaHistory

Yehakhin huts, single-family homes, of the re-created Powhatan Indian Village at the Jamestown Settlement in Jamestown, Virginia

Teaching Notes

How did the Powhatans build their homes? How is this different than the Jamestown settlers? Social Studies/History virginia

Reference link: https://www.loc.gov/item/2020724623/

Reference note

Created / Published

2019-11-24.

Genre

Digital photographs--Color--2010-2020

Notes

- Title, date, keywords, and additional description details based on information provided by the photographer.
- The state-sponsored living-history museum tells the story of the Americas' first British colony, from the arrival of English colonists in Jamestown in 1607 to cultural encounters with Powhatan Indians and other events that planted the seeds of a new nation. The original colonists' huts were made of marsh reeds, too temporary to be duplicated. Philippine palm strands of much the same appearance are used instead.
- Purchase; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2019; (DLC/PP-2019:069).
- Forms part of Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Digital Id

highsm 61458 https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.61458

'Jamestown, Virginia 1607 Colony'

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKH6HXo4IFM

Reference note

'HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA — After many years of unsuccessful North American settlements, the English founded in 1607 the colony of Jamestown in Virginia. EPISODE 182 — Jamestown 1607

World Explorers: John Smith (PBS World Explorers)

Teaching Notes

The English explorer John Smith was crucial to the exploration of and establishment of colonies within what is now the Northeastern United States. The first permanent English colony in the New World at Jamestown owes its creation to Smith, as does the mapping of the Chesapeake Bay.

World Explorers: John Smith (PBS World Explorers)

'Paramount Chief Powhatan | People of the Past'

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNMGW9M3-jw

Reference note

'Many great leaders have shaped the history of Tsenacommacah, but the most widely known is likely Paramount Chief Powhatan. Paramount Chief Powhatan was born in the town of Powhatan, near the falls of the James River. His personal name was actually Wahunsenacawh with Powhatan being more akin to a nickname. He held the title of Paramount Chief or Mamanatowick, meaning he ruled over many tribes and towns in Tsenacommacah.'

Blood on the River: James Town, 1607 by Elisa Carbone (2007)

Teaching Notes

Publisher summary: Twelve-year-old Samuel Collier is a lowly commoner on the streets of London. So when he becomes the page of Captain John Smith and boards the Susan Constant, bound for the New World, he can’t believe his good fortune. He’s heard that gold washes ashore with every tide. But beginning with the stormy journey and his first contact with the native people, he realizes that the New World is nothing like he imagined. The lush Virginia shore where they establish the colony of James Town is both beautiful and forbidding, and it’s hard to know who’s a friend or foe. As he learns the language of the Algonquian Indians and observes Captain Smith’s wise diplomacy, Samuel begins to see that he can be whomever he wants to be in this new land.

Our Strange New Land: Elizabeth's Jamestown Colony Diary, Book One (My America) by Patricia Hermes

Teaching Notes

Publisher summary: Award-winning author Pat Hermes tells the story of Elizabeth Barker, whose family sails from Plymouth, England, to Jamestown, Virginia, in 1609. This book helps to relaunch the My America series.

In May 1607, 3 ships sailed up the James River in Virginia. In the riverbank marshes, they made land and hung the flag--England's flag--establishing the first permanent English colony in Jamestown, Virginia. In 1609, the first ship carrying women and children arrived. After 71 days at sea, nine-year-old Elizabeth Barker is thrilled to be on dry land. Lizzie keeps a journal for Caleb, her twin brother who stayed in England because of his weak lungs. In her buoyant entries,Lizzie tells of the abundant forests, trading with and learning from the Indians, and adventures with her new friends.

Uncovering the Jamestown Colony by Caitlin McAneney (2016)

Teaching Notes

Publisher description: Jamestown is celebrated as the first permanent English settlement in North America, but underneath the well-known history is a darker past. In its beginning years, Jamestown was far from successful. In fact, most colonists who came to Jamestown never left; they died shortly after arriving. This fascinating book delves into the challenges of the colony, revealing its successes, tragedies, and even horrors such as cannibalism. Readers will be surprised to learn about the real-life Pocahontas and John Smith, and eager to find out more about what really happened in this Virginia colony's early days.

Image 125 of Volume 1 (General Collections copy)

Teaching Notes

Read excerpts from book as descriptors of the harrowing journey from England to North America.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/resource/lhbcb.0262a/?sp=125

Reference note

Created / Published

Glasgow : J. MacLehose ; New York : Macmillan, 1907.

Notes

- Includes index.
- Kislak accession no.: 2000.037.01.0012 (v. 1)
- Kislak accession no.: 2000.037.02.0012 (v. 2)

Digital Id

Statue of Captain John Smith on Jamestown Island, part of the Colonial National Historical Park in Jamestown, Virginia

Teaching Notes

Zoom In: What Do You Notice? How does this compare to Smith's other portrait?

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/resource/highsm.15089/?r=-0.949,0.028,2.897,1.456,0

Reference note

Created / Published

[between 1980 and 2006]

Genre

Transparencies--Color--1980-2010

Notes

- Digital image produced by Carol M. Highsmith to represent her original film transparency; some details may differ between the film and the digital images.
- Title, date, and keywords provided by the photographer.
- Credit line: Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
- Gift and purchase; Carol M. Highsmith; 2011; (DLC/PP-2011:124).
- Forms part of the Selects Series in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Digital Id

highsm 15089 https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.15089

Captain John Smith

Teaching Notes

What do you notice and wonder? How does this portrait compare with the one of Chief Powhatan?

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/item/2015651600/

Reference note

Summary

Print shows Captain John Smith, bust portrait, facing slightly right, in front of a red curtain, which is drawn aside to reveal a painting depicting Pocahontas interceding to save Smith's life. This may be part of the Great Americans cigarette series by W. Duke, Sons & Co.

Created / Published

[Place not identified] : [Publisher not identified], [1888?]

Genre

Cigarette cards--1880-1890
Chromolithographs--Color--1880-1890

Notes

- Title from item.
- (DLC/PP-2001:068).
- Forms part of: Marian S. Carson collection at the Library of Congress.

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Digital Id

ppmsca 39614 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.39614

Americæ pars, nunc Virginia dicta : primum ab Anglis inuenta, sumtibus Dn. Walteri Raleigh, Equestris ordinis Viri, Anno Dn̄i. MDLXXXV regni Vero Sereniss. nostræ Reginæ Elisabethæ XXVII, hujus vero Historia peculiari Libro descripta est, additis etiam Indigenarum Iconibus

Teaching Notes

Do a comparison between this map and the other featured map, along with a more recent one. What qualities make Jamestown an interesting place for new resources?

Reference link: https://www.loc.gov/item/78694920/

Reference note

Created / Published

[Francofurtum ad Mænum] : De Brÿ, [1590]

Notes

- Scale ca. 1:1,700,000.
- Has watermark.
- Oriented with north to the right.
- Relief shown pictorially and by hachures.
- Pictorial map.
- Covers coastal region from Cape Fear to Chesapeake Bay.
- From Thomas Hariot's A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia, 1590.
- Vault
- AACR2

Repository

Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA dcu

Digital Id

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3880.ct000777

Virginia Powhatan Confederacy Map.png

Teaching Notes

Do a QFT with students - review top questions about the map.

Reference link: https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/powhatan-people-and-the-english-at-jamestown/sources/1397

Reference note

Hondius, Hendrik, “Nova Virginiae tabula,” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/fe1783c6c1531476fd236ea187506ac9.

America,Jamestown Settlement,Living-history museums,Powhatan Indian Village,Heather Dor ̌Johnson,Roger Balance

Teaching Notes

Present this in class next to other renaissance images of Powhatans and do multiple perspectives review.

Reference link: https://www.loc.gov/item/2020724679/

Reference note

Created / Published

2019-11-24.

Genre

Digital photographs--Color--2010-2020

Notes

- Title, date, keywords, and additional description details based on information provided by the photographer.
- The state-sponsored living-history museum tells the story of the Americas' first British colony, from the arrival of English colonists in Jamestown in 1607 to cultural encounters with Powhatan Indians and other events that planted the seeds of a new nation.
- Purchase; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2019; (DLC/PP-2019:069).
- Forms part of Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Digital Id

highsm 61514 https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.61514

Marsh and woods on the grounds of Historic Jamestowne, a preservation and continuing excavation site at the location of the 1607 James Fort, near the later 17th-century (and present-day) city of Jamestown, Virginia

Teaching Notes

What are some local resources you notice in this image of the woods of Historic Jamestown?

Reference link: https://www.loc.gov/item/2020724663/

Reference note

Created / Published

2019-11-24.

Genre

Digital photographs--Color--2010-2020

Notes

- Title, date, keywords, and additional description details based on information provided by the photographer.
- It is located on Jamestown Island on the James River and is operated as a partnership between Preservation Virginia and the U.S. National Park Service. Two miles down Virginia's Colonial Parkway is another important Jamestown site, the state-run Jamestown Settlement living-history museum.
- Purchase; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2019; (DLC/PP-2019:069).
- Forms part of Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Digital Id

highsm 61498 https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.61498

Tracts and other papers relating principally to the origin, settlement, and progress of the colonies in North America, from the discovery of the country to the year 1776

Teaching Notes

volume 1. I. A discourse concerning the design'd establishment of a new colony to the south of Carolina / by Sir Robert Mountgomery ... 1717 -- II. A brief account of the establishment of the colony of Georgia, under Gen. James Oglethorpe, February 1, 1733 ... 1835 -- III. A state of the province of Georgia attested upon oath ... November 10, 1740 ... MDCCXLII -- IV. A true and historical narrative of the colony of Georgia ... / by Pat. Tailfer, M. D., Hugh Anderson, M. D., Da. Douglas, and others ... 1741 -- V. An account shewing the progress of the colony of Georgia ... published by order of the ... Trustees ... 1742 -- VI. Nova Britannia ...1609 -- VII. The new life of Virginea ... 1612 -- VIII. The beginning, progress, and conclusion of Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia in the years 1675 and 1676 ... 1835 --IX. An account of our late troubles in Virginia, written in 1676 / by Mrs. An. Cotton ... 1835 -- X. A list of those that have been executed for the late rebellion in Virginia / by Sir William Berkeley ... 1835 -- XI. A narrative of the Indian and civil wars in Virginia, in the years 1675 and 1676 ... 1814 -- XII. New England's Plantation ... written by a reverend divine now there resident ...1630 -- XIII. A petition of W.C. ... for the propagating of the gospel in America and the West Indies ... 1641.
volume 2. I. A description of New England, or The observations and discoueries of Captain Iohn Smith ... 1616 -- II. New Englands trials ... / written by Captaine Iohn Smith ... The second edition ... 1622 -- III. The planters plea ... 1630 -- IV. Gov. Thomas Dudley's letter to the Countess of Lincoln, March, 1631 ... -- V. New English Cannan ... / written by Thomas Morton ...1632 -- VI. Extract from a manuscript collection of annals relative to Virginia -- VII. A description of the province of New Albion ...1648 -- VIII. A perfect description of Virginia ...1649 -- IX. Virginia and Maryland, or, The Lord Baltamore's printed case, uncased and answered ... 1655 -- X. A narrative of the proceedings of the people of South-Carolina, in the year 1719 ... MDCCXXVI -- XI. A description of the province of South Carolina, drawn up at Charles Town, in September 1731 / translated from Mr. Purry's original treatise ... 1837 -- XII. A description of Georgia / by a gentleman who has resided there ...MDCCXLI.
volume 3. I. A trve declaration of the estate of the colonie in Virginia ... / published by ... the Councell of Virginia ... 1610 -- II. For the colony in Virginea Britannia : lavves diuine, morall and martiall, &c. ... 1612 -- III. A plaine description of the Barmvdas ...1613 -- IV. Nevves of Sir Walter Rauleigh ... / sent from a gentleman of his fleet ... 1618 -- V. A declaration of the state of the colonie and affaires in Virginia ... / by his Maiestie's Counseil for Virginia ... 1620 -- VI. Orders and constitvtions ...1620 -- VII. A true relation of Virginia and Mary-Land ... / by Nathaniel Shrigley ... -- VIII. The simple cobler of Aggawam in America ... / by Theodore de la Guard ... 1713 --IX. An abstract of the lawes of New England ... 1641 -- X. A voyage in Virginia / by Colonel Norwood -- XI. Virginia, more especially the south part thereof, richly and truly valued ... / by E.W. ... 1650 -- A letter from Mr. John Clayton ... to the Royal Society, May 12, 1688 ... -- XIII. The reformed Virginian silk-worm ... 1655 -- XIV. Leah and Rachel, or, The two fruitfull sisters Virginia and Mary-Land ... / by John Hammond ... 1656 -- XV. Virginia's cure ... / by R.G. ... 1662.
volume 4. I. Virginia richly valued, by the description of the main land of Florida ... / written by a Portugall gentleman of Eluas ... and translated .. by Richard Hacklvyt ... 1609 -- II. A relation of a discovery lately made on the coast of Florida ... / by William Hilton ... 1664 -- III. New-Englands Jonas cast up at London ... / by Major John Childe ... 1647 -- IV. A narrative of a new and unusual American imprisonment of two Presbyterian ministers ... / by a Learner of law, and lover of liberty ... 1707 -- V. An extract of the journals of Mr. Commissary von Reck ... and of the Reverend Mr. Bolzius ... MDCCXXXIV -- VI. Simplicities defence against seven-headed policy ... 1646 -- VII. Samuel Gorton's letter to Nathaniel Morton ... June 30th, 1669 -- VIII. Commission of King James the Second to Sir Edmund Andros, June 3, 1686 -- IX. The revolution in New-England justified ... / by several gentlemen who were of his Council ... MDCCLXXIII -- X. An account of the late revolution in New-England ... / written by Mr. Nathaniel Byfield ... MDCLXXXIX -- XI. A brief relation of the state of New England ... in a letter to a Person of quality ... 1689 -- XII. A relation of the colony of the Lord Baron of Baltimore ... A narrative of the voyage to Maryland / by Father A. White; and sundry reports, from ... Jesuit Fathers of the colony and translated for Force's historical tracts by N.C. Brooks ...
Social Studies/History #virginia colonial

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/resource/lhbcb.7018a/

Reference note

Created / Published

Washington : Printed by Peter Force, 1836-1846.

Notes

- Volumes 3 and 4 printed by Wm. Q. Force.
- Vol. 1 was re-issued in 1839 as part of the first volume of Transactions of the American Historical Society.
- Each pamphlet is separately paged, and is reprinted by Peter Force or William Force.
- Checklist of American imprints, 37481
- Volume 1: vii, [1], 24 pages, [1] folded leaf of plates; 15, [1] pages; 20 pages; xiii, [1], 80, [2] pages; v, [1], 56, [2] pages; 28 pages; 24 pages; 26, [2] pages; 4 pages; 11, [1] pages; 47, [1] pages; 14, [2] pages; 11, [1] pages.
- Volume 2: vii, [13], 34, [2] pages; 23, [1] pages; [4], 47, [1] pages; 19, [1] pages; 125, [3] pages; 9, [3] pages; 35, [1] pages; 18, [2] pages; 47, [1] pages; 39, [1] pages; 15, [1] pages; 6 pages.
- Volume 3: vii, [1], 27, [1] pages; 68 pages; 24 pages; 28 pages; 44 pages; 26 pages; 5, [3] pages; 58 pages; 17, [3] pages; 50, [2] pages; 62, [2] pages; 45, [3] pages; 37, [3] pages; 30, [2] pages; 19, [1] pages.
- Volume 4: vii, [1], 132 pages; 27, [1] pages; 24 pages; 56 pages; 38 pages; 116, [2] pages; 17, [3] pages; 14, [2] pages; 59, [1] pages; 13, [1] pages; 17, [5] pages; 47, [1] pages.
- LAC ael 2019-04-11 update (7 card)

Digital Id

[How they build boats] / T.B.

Teaching Notes

Powhatan Daily Life. What do you notice?

Reference link: https://www.loc.gov/item/2001696968/

Reference note

Summary

Native men making dugout boats by burning and scraping with seashells.

Created / Published

[1590]

Genre

Book illustrations--1590
Watercolors--1580-1590--Reproductions--1590
Engravings--1590

Notes

- Illus. in: Admiranda narratio, fida tamen, de commodis et incolarvm ritibvs Virginiæ [...]. Wecheli : svmtibvs T. de Bry, 1590, [plate] 12.
- Engraving by Theodor de Bry after watercolor by John White.
- Title transcribed from Lorant, p. 249.
- The New World [...] / Lorant, ed. New York : Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1965, p. 249
- Reference copy in LOT 4411-C.

Repository

Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Digital Id

cph 3b00422 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b00422

Chief Powhatan Norman B Wood.png

Teaching Notes

Artist rendering done in the early 1900's. How does this image compare to the others of Powhatan?

Reference link: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Powhatan-American-Indian-chief#/media/1/473420/210392

Reference note

Powhatan.

Lives of Famous Indian Chiefs by Norman B. Wood., 1906

Media Title
Powhatan
Media Type
Image
Website Name
Encyclopædia Britannica
Publisher
Encyclopædia Britannica
URL
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Powhatan-American-Indian-chief#/media/1/473420/210392
Access Date
March 24, 2025

Construction of Fort at Jamestown 1607

Teaching Notes

Zoom In: Look at the ships first, then the larger building of the fort. What were some reasons for building in this location?

Reference link: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/construction-james-fort-sidney-e-king

Reference note

U.S. Geological Survey. (n.d.). Construction of James Fort, Sidney E. King. U.S. Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/construction-james-fort-sidney-e-king

Pocahontas saving the life of Capt. John Smith / New England Chromo. Lith. Co.

Teaching Notes

Compare/contrast this image of Powhatan with the other. What do you notice?

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/resource/pga.07768/

Reference note

Created / Published

Boston : New Eng. Chromo. Lith. Co., c1870.

Genre

Chromolithographs--Color--1870

Notes

- C3414A2 U.S. Copyright Office.

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Digital Id

pga 07768 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pga.07768
cph 3g03368 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3g03368
cph 3a52041 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a52041 Social Studies/History virginia

John Smith Trading with Powhatans c. 1607-1608

Teaching Notes

Zoom in: John Smith, then fire, then wider village. (What similarities to the Jamestown fort are there? What are the differences?)

John Smith is shown in this illustration trading with the native Americans who resided close to James Fort, probably in 1607-1608, although his explorations took him much further afield, across the northern edge of Chesapeake Bay and into Susquehannock territory.